Robert Zemeckis has a had an interesting career of films that offer a look into his diversity as a filmmaker. From Back to the Future to Castaway, he has shown his superior skills as a storyteller. Allied is his latest effort and while the film works, it lacks the uniqueness of his previous efforts to really stand out. This is probably one of his more conventional films and it doesn’t really set a new standard for the genre. It’s great to look at and has two charismatic leads to carry the narrative when things aren’t all that interesting but you can tell that this was made with Oscar intentions in mind. It’s by no means a stinker but I have a feeling that the Academy will not be acknowledging this one.
In the film, Canadian intelligence officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) meets French resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard). Under the pretense of being a married couple enjoying the freedom offered in a Moroccan city, the two plot the assassination of a German ambassador. With the odds against them, the closeness and tension of the situation spark a romance. But can a love affair conceived during an assignment survive a transition to the home front? And, with the war still raging, can the seeming security of a desk job protect Max from a tragedy?
The most interesting aspect about Allied is that it’s a World War II movie where none of the action takes place on the front lines. Whether in the cafes and reception halls of Casablanca or the streets of London, the characters face their turmoil and tribulations that characterize life away from military combat. Allied unfolds more like a spy thriller with an attention to period details, intrigue, betrayal and espionage taking the forefront over traditional tropes of the “war” film. It’s a different approach than most movies would take and it makes Allied standout for the most part. The only problem with how it’s handled overall is that the film relies heavily on this concept and even though it carries the film far, it’s not enough to sustain its two-hour runtime.
More attention should’ve been given to the central relationship that drives the film. The 40-minute Casablanca segment, in which Max and Marianne’s romance begins, feels a bit rushed at times as the film heads into the spy thriller section of the story. We get hints of the attraction but its end result feels a tad forced. More time to get to know them and witness their deeper interaction might have made a difference. Some scenes – like one in which Max covertly watches Marianne undress – are honest and believable; Allied could have benefitted from more of these. Chemistry isn’t the issue because Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard certainly generate enough heat the transcends the rushed approach to their relationship but you just wish you saw more genuine scenes of their desire and affection of each other.
The first half, much like the film as a whole, is a joy to look at. Zemeckis has clearly paid close attention to details of the period and they really pop on screen. You don’t feel like you’re watching a film made for 2016 to look like it takes place in 1942. It looks like it’s of that era and doesn’t disappoint on a visual level one bit.
The spy thriller section of the film will be what gets people in the seats to see the film. The trajectory is a bit conventional but it’s highly entertaining and offers some moments of stunning action. There is enough suspense here to keep you interested and there is an emotional resonance to the denouement that really works.
Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard pretty much carry the entire film. These are well-seasoned thespians that can overcome the most half-baked elements of any plot and they really do that here. Pitt has an old Hollywood charm that really serves him well in this film. It won’t stand as his best performance, but he is engaging. Cotillard fares even better because her role is a bit more dynamic and her presence gives the character a timeless quality. As stated before, they have solid chemistry that I assume many will pay attention to due to Pitt’s high-profile divorce from Angelina Jolie.
Allied isn’t as great as it desires to be but it’s made with enough sufficient care and skill that it warrants a recommendation. You can tell that it aspires to be more than what it is but Zemeckis has to settle for a good effort rather than an excellent one.
Reel Talk gives Allied 3 Reels
